Beat of her drum: UWindsor professor receives Grammy Museum grant
A University of Windsor professor has received a grant from the Grammy Museum Program.
The money will help study the physical demands of playing the drum.
“Such teachers have a big potential for impact on student behaviour, so I thought this was pretty intriguing,” says Nadia Azar, a kinesiology professor.
She’s received a $20,000 USD grant to delve into the reasons instructors do or don’t offer their students training on how to prevent playing-related injury.
“I’m hoping to be able to interview 30 drummers and analyze the data and present it at a few conferences,” Azar says.
She says injuries develop while spending hours training intensively.
“The two most common injuries that I’ve seen reported are tendinitis and carpel tunnel syndrome. You could be putting yourself at risk because you’re just doing the same thing over and over again repetitively,” Azar says.
Drummers around the world are beating a path to her door.
More than 900 drummers have participated in her past research projects.
“They were reporting a moderate level of interference, meaning with their ability to play or in their day to day activities,” Azar says.
Jeff Burrows, a drummer of 40 years, considers himself lucky.
“You know that they’re coming, but I’ve been blessed compared to many of them,” he says.
But that’s not to say the instrument hasn’t taken a toll on his body.
“Lower back. I’ve got bone chips in this elbow. I’ve had ganglion cysts on this wrist,” he explains.
Nowadays, the drummer of the Tea Party only experiences some pain in his right shoulder, and believes instructors need to teach proper positioning to help avoid injuries.
“Move properly and functionally without over extension and crouching and leaning back,” Burrows says.
The project is one of five funded by the Grammy Museum Grant Program and is expected to take two years to complete.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.